Message From The Director

The release this week of the third National Climate Assessment highlights in the greatest detail yet, how climate change is already affecting our country. Going forward, thoughtful, fair and efficient adaptation to these changes will become more and more important. Similarly, general environmental and social problems will need to re-examine their current solutions and policies as we move into this dynamic environment. In addition to providing UNC students with a hand on education in environmental law projects, CLEAR was founded looking ahead to the need for a focus on examining policies and laws in the face of climate change. We invite your continued support and comments as you see what we have been working on in the last three months.

Featured Article

Professor Savasta-Kennedy
and four UNC Law students (2Ls Dan Hemme, Tate Holland, Llogan Walters and Xuan
Li) attended North Carolina's 13th Annual Community-Based
Environmental Justice Summit in October at the Historic Franklinton Center at
Bricks, Edgecombe County, NC.[1] The conference provided a unique opportunity to connect with community members
and activists working toward improving the public health and environment of
North Carolina. The conference focused
on the environmental justice concerns of community members, particularly the ongoing
problems suffered by residents living near CAFOs in the state. CAFOs in North Carolina operate in accordance
with a general permit which does not adequately address the health and welfare concerns
of nearby communities. After attending a
training session on interviewing skills and using Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act to pursue environmental justice litigation, the students worked with
attorneys from the Southern Environmental Law Center and Earth Justice to
interview residents impacted by the environmental justice impacts of
CAFOs. The CAFO EJ project is an ongoing
pro bono project through the summer and next year. Interested students should contact Professor
Savasta-Kennedy for further details on how to get involved in the project.

[1] Bricks is a
former slave plantation that was transformed into one of the first accredited
schools for African Americans in the South and now serves as a community
retreat focusing on education, justice advocacy and leadership
development. To learn more, see http://www.ucc.org/franklinton-center/.

Recent News

CLEAR Hosts Trip Van Noppen and Marcilynn Burke

CLEAR was excited to host Trip Van Noppen, Carolina alum and President of Earthjustice, in the fall, followed by Marcilynn Burke, the former Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, in the spring. More information and videos of both lectures have been posted!

New Directions in Energy Law and Policy, Climate Disruption and Sea Level Rise Symposium

Professor Flatt spoke at the symposium, co-hosted by the Center for Progressive Reform and Nova Southeastern University, in February. Video links available!

2014 Environmental Law Symposium

Twenty Carolina Law students wrote papers on a variety of topics for the 2014 Environmental Law Symposium. While snow hampered the actual event, their individual papers are still available to read.

CLEAR Posts Climate Change Plans

CLEAR has gathered in one location the adaptation planning documents required of federal agencies by President Obama Executive Order 13514. The links will be updated as new plans are added. Look under "Federal Agencies and Policies" for links to the individual agency documents.

Professor Flatt to speak in Washington, D.C., June 5-6

Professor Flatt will speak at the American Association for the Advancement of Science's "Climate Change Resilience: Governance and Reforms" conference in Washington, D.C. Registration open now.

Energy-Water Nexus Papers Published

"Insurance at the Energy-Water Nexus" by Professor Donald Hornstein and "Curtailment First: Why Climate Change and the Energy Industry Suggest a New Allocation Paradigm is Needed for Water Utilized in Hydraulic Fracturing" by Professor Victor Flatt and Heather Payne have been published as part of the Allen Chair Symposium issue by the Univeristy of Richmond Law Review.